THE 8 MIRACLE-SIGNS IN JOHN . . . No.1
NO WINE John 2:1-11
As we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us all things (which is His Office according to John 14:26), we shall be enabled to see many small, yet beautiful, things in these words. The words that are given to us from the Living Word are ‘spirit’ and they are ‘life’
The scene is set for us — ‘In the THIRD day’. Please do not only jump to the conclusion that it could be in the third ‘1000-year’ day by using II Peter 3:8 reference. We do not want to limit this discourse to a specific people in relation to time, but see it as a challenge for of us now. The ‘third day’ does however, refer to a special experience in our lives. This third day carries an EXPECTATION OF FULLNESS, a completion of one of His purposes in us, implying that two days processings by the Lord are now a part of our testimony. With this in mind, let us expect our Teacher, The Holy Spirit, to draw out of His word certain specific emphases that will encourage and magnetize us toward His way for us.
The provision by Jesus through the cross, has released sufficient of Himself to enable us to enter into all that He speaks. ‘The Mother of Jesus’ speaks of the ‘Church at large’, while Jesus represents those who will first come forth into His Image. We must bear in mind that ALL scripture is given for profit and gain (II Tim. 3:16+17). It is certainly not just for mental expansion but for the increase of HIS control. Such beautiful wisdom and anointing is seen upon ‘Mother’ as she declares a very basic truth. “Whatever’ He says to you do it”. She presupposes that THEY ARE WILLING TO LISTEN for His directions and not do what they are used to doing and asking Him to bless it! Can we be likened to these servants?
WATERPOTS OF STONE
There were six waterpots of stone standing in the foyer of this wedding hall. The water in them would be used for the washing of the guests’ feet. As guests, our ‘walk’ will require washing with the water of the word because it has been marred with the dust of the world and other filth that has been strewn in the path of the saints. These six pots made of stone. Taken from the earth and shaped very carefully, having been put through much grinding for a purpose, so that they will stand up to much use as well as contain pure water. These pots would have been empty or ‘getting low’ because of the washing work already done. The Jews were very keen on the cleansing from the outside in but our God desires us to be cleansed from the inside out! SIX containers speaking of our humanity which has been redeemed, but now is going through the process of change to become ‘vessels fit for the Master’s use‘(II Tim.2:21). In this account there was a delay, the length of which we are not told, but sufficient for the servants to come to a corporate decision to abandon themselves to the words that Jesus would speak to them. . .UNTIL THEY HAD REACHED that PLACE, THE ’TIME FOR JESUS TO WORK’ HAD NOT COME, BUT AS SOON AS THEY WERE THUS WILLING, HIS TIME CAME for action THROUGH THEM.
MORE BACKGROUND TO THIS WEDDING FEAST
The ‘Governor’ of this occasion, like our ‘emcee’, would be responsible for what transpired at the ceremony and also for the supply of the wine. He was responsible for maintaining liveliness among the guests and what was very important to them all, he decided how much water was to be mixed with the wine. He would therefore taste it before allowing it to be distributed. He would also have to watch the supply — he must ‘never’ run out! Usually the ‘Governor’ position was offered to the eldest of the family — a great honour. This ‘historic church system Governor’ has RUN OUT OF WINE! Wine speaks of revelation from the anointed word. So many older brethren (they have been around for a lot longer . . .) do not have any revelation in this hour of what Father-God is doing or saying. . . they have run out of the wine that produces a clear vision and fills the heart with joy.
They were now willing to do whatever......... Jesus knowing such a decision was made, spoke that the water pots be filled with water. For ‘us-servants’ (like a ‘water-pot’ with legs!), let us fill up with the water of the word (Eph. 5:26) and wait for His next word that will turn the word we have received into wine whereby we will have a sure word of revelation. In all revelations given by the Spirit of God, our Teacher, there will always be a predominant factor, that of seeing the nature of the Lord presented to us. He desires that we receive such a word and grow up into Him in all things by the ‘assimilation’ of it.
FULLY FILLED
It was very important that these water pots be FILLED TO THE BRIM. Filled to the ‘lip’ over which any pouring out of the wine will pass. The servants would pour out the water that had previously been put in, as WINE that REVEALS the Lord Jesus more and more in His people-guests.
The Governor was ‘teachable’ and thus he knew where such GOOD WINE had come from. He shared it with the bridegroom and declared to him that the whole proceedings concerning wine was ‘back to front’. One is supposed to give forth the good wine first and after the guests have enjoyed such, then the old traditional ‘wine’ can be easily ‘dumped’ on them and they won’t notice that it is weak. Jesus brings a dramatic contrast by introducing a marvellous and palatable NEW WINE. The servants, who had determined to do whatsoever Jesus spoke, knew what they were handling. NEW WINE’ is NOT the ‘old’ wine understanding rehashed.
NEW WINE IS NEW!
One cannot make new wine by adding some new to the old. In Luke’s account of the “New wine not going into old bottles”, is followed by “Don’t take a patch out of a new garment to patch an old garment” — they both get spoiled. The ‘new wine’ is NEW !!! It is very much different from the ‘old’ to which we have grown accustomed. The ‘old’ approach to just the letter-word was rigid and unyielding — like it was written on stone! The ‘new’ word is alive and is likened to ‘water’ in Eph.5:26 which ‘flows’ (rather than being thrown!) from one to another with an understanding that is far removed from traditional-limiting orthodoxy, with a new vocabulary and release of Father’s heart in all matters.
This is the FIRST of the eight miracle-signs that Jesus did for the purpose of showing forth HIS GLORY step by step — line upon line. His glory is manifest by allowing the water of the word, that wonderful book which we have learned, to be illuminated by the Holy Spirit, our Teacher. Jesus will be ‘unveiled’ from any word to those who desire that ‘new wine’. The result in this account was that the disciples Believed on Him and not just on the things He did or said.
CONCLUSION
Are you willing to do whatever HE says and pour out what He gives you? HIS TIME FOR YOU WILL THEREFORE COME. The first step in these eight miracle-signs is that you and I must have a flow of wine that reveals Jesus within us and to others, for NOW is the time in which the true Bride-Church is to get herself ready. The wedding — the coming into full union with Him, is upon us. How about it ? Remember, it is needful that a ‘NO WINE’ situation is replaced by ‘NEW WINE’. It is either that you have new wine or you will just get a “bier” (an old word for coffin!) for your traditional limited thinking! The true wine will make your heart rejoice! §.
RAY & SHEILA KNIGHT
3417 ELLIOTT ROAD
WEST KELOWNA BC V4T 1P1